Have you ever wished for a way to connect with your friends beyond social media? Even when keeping tabs on each other through Facebook and Twitter accounts, there’s still a tendency for some people to remain isolated from those close to them. Loneliness is not a new problem, but it is an increasingly relevant one. The desire for human connection is part of the reason societies were formed in the first place.
Now, researchers in Korea have come up with Fribo, a cat-like robot that is designed to encourage people to reach out to each other in new ways. You don’t even have to leave the house or login to social media to get started. And as you can see in the following video, Fribo lets ordinary activities become conversation starters.
According to the Verge, Fribo resembles a Studio Ghibli creation, and we’re inclined to agree. Unlike other virtual pets, Fribo doesn’t exist to form a relationship with its users. Instead, it is meant to bolster existing friendships and connections by encouraging people to talk to each other. And unlike social media, Fribo doesn’t require potentially invasive information and it is only targeted to a few select individuals.
For now, Fribo is being designed and tested for users in Korea. But perhaps it may make its way to America in the near future. It’s an intriguing device, and if it works as intended, it could be very helpful for an increasingly lonely population.
What do you think about Fribo? Would you invite it into your home? Let us know in the comment section below!
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Images:Â IEEE Spectrum
